Study: Soda sales rebound when taxes are repealed By (0) Size and spending on soda goes down when a soda tax is in effect, but goes right back up when the tax is repealed, according to new research. File Photo by taa22/Shutterstock After a short-lived tax on sugar-sweetened and artificially sweetened beverages was repealed, consumption of sugary drinks in an Illinois County escalated again, according to a new study. The tax was pitched to reduce Cook County budget deficits. It lasted four months -- from Aug. 2 to Dec. 1, 2017, the researchers said. Advertisement "We know that the tax worked to bring down demand for sweetened beverages significantly while it was in place," said lead author Lisa Powell.